Looking for Keith Garrard

We received the message below this week:

I have just found an old article on your web site from Keith Garrard in 2009 talking about his life in Milford. My mother in-law was sent to his mother's house, Mary Garrard, during the war as an evacuee.

I know it's a long shot but is he still contactable?

Many thanks,

Mandy.

If you might know where Keith Garrard may be, please email david@milfordonsea.org and we will let Mandy know.

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16th August 2009: Keith Garrard’s Memories of Milford.

As you might guess playing with this website keeps my free time pretty busy & it has plenty of rewarding benefits, not least of which is meeting interesting local people. A couple of days ago, totally out of the blue, I received an e-mail from Keith (R. Keith Garrard) recalling his days in Milford on Sea. His story has plenty of local interest, so I thought I would share it with you.

Keith Garrard’s story: “My parents moved to Carrington Lane just before WW2 when I was about 2 years old. Dad worked for Wellworthy transport section and joined the ARP. During the war years he was a corporal in the Milford on Sea Home Guard. One night during the second world war a sea mine was dropped by a German Ju88 aircraft which landed to the back of our house at 46 Carrington Lane. The bomb’s parachute got hooked up on a tree bordering our house and the field beyond, and thankfully failed to explode. Had it done so it would have caused considerable loss of life in the area. It took the Royal Navy bomb disposal squad a long time to dismantle it and my dad had a piece of it in his garden shed for years! Later, my dad ran the Milford on Sea boys club for about five years before his health deteriorated. The club was affiliated to the National federation of Boys Clubs and they used to meet twice a week in the old Church Hall in Sea Road.

Tramp Ships by Roy Fenton
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I went to the local Church of England school and later to Ashley Secondary School. On leaving school I joined the Merchant Navy as an apprentice deck officer on tramp ships*. My first voyage to sea had been across Sturt Pond on a raft consisting of two 40 gallon drums and planks of washed up wood from the beach, but only after my cousin Roy’s dog had tested it for stability. I was the lightest child so I was nominated the first captain! Whilst in the Merchant Navy I took my second mates and master mariners certificates at Southampton School of Navigation. On gaining my Master Mariners certificate I joined Cunard S,S,Co and worked my way up to First Officer on R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth, before leaving the sea to take up the position of Port Agency Superintendent with Cunard, and later a managerial position on Southampton Container Terminal. I moved to Lymington in 1960 and various places subsequently to be near my workplace. 

Today I am now retired and live in Fordingbridge. My father died in 1968 and mother in 1999 after the move to Lymington. P.S. Most of my village friends have now passed away. PPS: I  still have a copy of Chris Hobby’s book of postcards of Milford on Sea and Lymington.” 

*Note: Tramp Ship: I didn’t know what a ‘tramp ship’ was, so here is the definition I found: ‘A merchant cargo ship engaged in the tramp trade is one which does not have a fixed schedule or published ports of call. As opposed to freight liners which operate to a fixed schedule.’ | ARP Warden: As part of the Civil Defence precautions set up by the government in 1935, the job of ARP (Air Raid Precaution) Warden was created. By the time war was declared in 1939, ARP wardens were already in place to cover cities, towns and villages. They had to see that the streets were cleared when the air raid sirens sounded and assisted with dealing with the damage after the raids. It was a dangerous job. The wardens patrolled the streets every night and anyone letting even a tiny chink of light out of their windows would be in deep trouble.

Weird World of MoS Souvenirs

Over the decades holiday makers have bought some very strange souvenirs from Milford on Sea. I suspect that visits to our great range of village pubs may have contributed to the decision making process!

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To take a look at a lot more of the Weird World of Milford on Sea Souvenirs - please click here.

Got any spare clothes hangers?

I didn't realise that I had a view on clothes hangers until today.

To explain, the Village Charity Shop dropped me a line to ask people in the village for any spare clothes hangers as they prepare for their Summer Sale.

This made me think about my wardrobe, which have to say is a thought that doesn't enter my mind too often. It was only then that I realised that I had always wanted a wardrobe that was full of neatly matching nice wooden clothes hangers.

So, up I went to my wardrobe an opened the doors. 

In front of me was a mass of clothes on a hotch-potch of hangers, - thin metal ones from the dry cleaners, funny plastic moulded ones, a weird padded fabric one, straight top ones, ones with a funny rubber band contraption underneath and some really weird ones with notches in the sides on the top. 

Then of course there were the 'special hangers' you get for Christmas. If you are a bloke, it is fair to bet you have unused hangers for ties, belts and even a hinged multi-level one for trousers, that even if you can put the trousers on it, you are unlikely to get them off in time to wear for wherever you are going. 

The nice wooden ones were in short supply and my perfect wardrobe dreams were shattered.

As I stood musing at my wardrobe contents, my wife came in and said; 'Oh, at last you can sort out the clothes in there that haven't fitted you for years!"

No chance, I need those shirts, even if it means I have to participate in a wrestling match every time I need to release a shirt to wear from the over packed rail.

I then considered sorting out my pants drawer, but soon came to the conclusion that I have already had too much trauma for the day. Plus of course, should my wife come in, she might make me throw away my threadbare 'lucky pants' that have followed Watford FC around the country over many years. (With me in them, not on their own.) It is a simple fact that a man and his lucky pants should never be parted.

 Anyway, back to the point that started all of this - The Village Charity Shop need loads of clothes hangers for their Summer Sale (which they will be holding at the Community Centre on Saturday May 28th starting 9.30am until 4.30pm)  - If you can help out with clothes hangers (preferably plastic), please just drop them off at the Village Charity Shop in Milford on Sea village centre.

Food Week on Radio This Sunday

It will come as much as a surprise to you, as it has to me, that your editor has been invited to again appear on the radio.

If you are a radio listener, check out the Nick Girdler show this Sunday, 20th March 2016, yours truly will be on live on air between 9.30am and 9.50am in a radio interview with Nick.

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We will be chatting about Milford on Sea Food Week and then reviewing the Sunday papers. Naturally this a an excellent opportunity to plug Milford on Sea and Food Week, but asking my opinion on the current affairs of the day could be unpredictable!

As you may expect, I will first look for 'Food Stories', to give Food Week another plug. Next, I will look for 'Ridiculous Stories' which appeal to my inappropriate sense of humour. If I have to resort to 'Grown Up' stories, I will be able to give them the slant of a natural village idiot.

I of course, have the perfect face and physique for radio. 

Having done a handful of radio interviews before, I now consider myself a veteran broadcaster. (My wife considers me delusional.) As you may know, my wife never listens to me, so it will be interesting to see if she pays more attention when I am coming out of a speaker!

If you fancy tuning in to witness my embarrassment, and to hear the nonsense we discuss from the day’s news stories, please just set your radio dial to BBC Radio Solent.

Click here to hear 2014 Food Week Mix

A couple of years ago a good friend of mine (who obviously has a mind that operates in strange ways, and far too much time on his hands), created a rather odd 'Food Week Mix'.

Steve 'Carrots' Carroll, is weirdly creative, and took as many strange bits from a previous radio interview as he could, and then mixed them into a nonsense soundtrack. Click here to listen to the 2014 Food Week Mix. Steve 'Carrots' Carroll's mind obviously works in a funny way, but the results are amusing!

That's reminds me, Steve also did a previous video on the Milford on Sea Food Market during Food Week 2010, which is also worth a look. This guy is a bit too creative for his own good!

Click here to view the Food Market video from 2010

Next Sunday, 20th March 2016 | The Nick Girdler Show from 09.30am until 09.50am

BBC Radio Solent: 96.1 & 103.8FM: 999 and 1039 AM: DAB: bbc.co.uk/solent

Smiley Food Week Aprons

I managed to get my wife to model the Food Week Aprons that just arrived, but she insisted I didn't show her face in the photo. (Not sure if this is want she meant?!)

Anyway, the aprons are £5 each and in The Village News newsagent at the bottom of Milford on Sea village green now.

Elves deliver Food Week Programmes

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How do you get 20,000 Food Week Programmes, and 30,000 Food Week Flyers into the hands of foodies in the village and across the region from Christchurch to Lyndhurst and everywhere in between?

Well, the flyers are easy, we simply deliver them to a few warehouses and they get inserted in a variety of newspapers and magazines alongside Food Week advertisements and editorial articles.

Delivering to every house in the village, and providing all the restaurants, pubs, cafes and shops with programmes is a somewhat more challenging task.

Ultimately this is achieved by an amazing group of Food Week Volunteers, and additional help from Sue Whitlock and the Community Centre What's On Delivery Team.

Around 60 people are involved in total and the way people pull together is amazing.

The Food Week Volunteers collected their (heavy) boxes from our temporary warehouse (Tim's garage) in Barton and then set about getting the free Food Week Programmes to the villages commercial premises.

On Wednesday I arrived at the Community Centre at the agreed time of 11am. I was there to help prepare the bundles for people in the Whats On Delivery Team to collect to deliver to their allocated roads.

As I walked through the door the action was already underway, boxes of programmes were quickly being devoured and made into piles, which were then efficiently labelled. Within 15 minutes the entire task of preparing bundles to deliver to 3000 village houses was done. - and them another swarm of people arrived to start their deliveries! 

By the end of this week there will be very few local people who do not know what is happening in Food Week and all thanks to a grand group of volunteer elves.

A big thank you goes to everyone who has lent a hand - it is small efforts by many that makes events like these possible.

I understand that the elves have now returned to Santa's Workshop!

Good Samaritan for Mother in Law

Whilst no one was seen pushing my mother in law over (I was at home with my wife, honest), at around 10am on Tuesday a Good Samaritan walking his dog came to her aid as she laid spreadeagled and bleeding on the ground on Church Hill.

The story goes that she was heading back to her car after beauty treatment at Tu Sei Bella (my wife told me to say they she doesn't really need it - and I have been instructed not to comment), as she meandered along, she tripped over on the pavement outside the old HSBC bank building. 

She said she was heading to her car, but we all know that The Cave is in that direction.

After spectacularly breaking her fall with her chin and generally making a bloody mess of the pavement, with the help of a passer by she made it to her feet again. (Good job it rained later otherwise Dave Gates Butchers Shop may have been questioned.) 

The kind man on a dog walk even offered to walk her (and his dog) to the Medical Centre. Sadly, he did not give his name, but you know who you are and are very kind. She sends her belated thanks, as her mouth wasn't working too well at the time.

Naturally I am full of sympathy for my mother in law's plight and her swollen face, and like any dutiful son in law I was trying to find ways to help. The toffees I bought were apparently 'thoughtless' and the mask suggestion described as 'stupid'.

So, I found the ideal get well gift. I managed to get hold of some of the 'Tripping Hazard Signs' pictured above, Then, when she was out, I put up a number of the yellow signs at the top of her house stairs, above her bed, in the front garden and one on the side of her car for luck.

She hasn't thanked me yet, but I suspect it is because she can't say much as talking still hurts at the moment. (Every cloud has a silver lining!)

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My Mother in Law claims that she is normally steady on her feet, but I think that this old holiday snap from the 1970's tells different.

In fact, I would make a case that it runs in the family, and her daughter is no better as a picture below of her returning home from The Cave shows.

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Note to self  - buy mother in law some beauty vouchers for her birthday, she might need them more than ever now.

Manners Maketh Man

I am of course a bit old to be going to school, and having spent most of my school days in detention, bunking off or getting the cane, it was with some trepidation that I accepted an invitation to go to meet with Matthew Hill, the headmaster at our village primary school. 

The last time I was summoned by a headmaster my palms throbbed for a week.

Anyway, I arrived. I was a little late, as my wife had forced me to change from the grey short trousers and school jumper I had spent over 30 minutes squeezing in to.

I was taken through to the reception area to await my meeting to discuss Food Week with Mr Hill and Rachel Lewis of the PFA. (Note: What the kids are going to do for Food Week is awesome, and will be excitedly revealed in due course.)

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In the reception area I was immediately drawn to a poster on the wall which raised my spirits and gave me a satisfied glow.

Our village children are being taught manners!
(Please click image to see the poster)

Doesn't it make you feel good that our teachers see manners as a priority in the building blocks to becoming a good adult.

In a world that moves so fast, and changes all the time, it is heart-warming to know that that some real human values are not being lost, and indeed, they are being embraced at our village school.

After our meeting, Matthew (I couldn't help but call him 'Sir'), took me on a school tour. I say school, but it is in fact a Tardis.

From the outside the school looks like a quaint Victorian village schoolhouse, but once inside the vista opens up into a modern teaching environment with impressive facilities and lots of bright and airy classrooms.

As we passed the main hall the entire school were practising their songs for a Christmas performance to the parents. Seeing and hearing happy children singing is one of life's simple and pure delights.

The school is currently nurturing 380 pupils, which shows that we have lots of young families in the village. (Who said you have to be retired to live in Milford on Sea!)

As we crossed the Pre-School playground a sign on the wall drew my attention. Yet again there was list of values to provide any child with a great way to live their life. (Please click image to see the sign)

In the primary school grounds there was more to discover, like the vegetable beds where the children were growing, amongst other more ordinary things, sea kale and asparagus. Both of which they intend to sell to village restaurants/shops, not only raise funds, but also to give the kids experience of small business.

There is also a full size swimming pool, and fenced off 'secret place' with a pond, den making, and camp fire where the children cook, play & learn in the summer.

The recently installed and impressive 'Eco Pod' is equipped with microscopes where the kids can examine insects that they gather from the pond.

To complete the tour we went to see the chickens, which the children look after, and collect eggs from on a daily basis.

It is clear that our school is quietly creating a generation of people to be proud of in our plain sight.

Total respect goes to Matthew and all of his team of teachers, administrators and other helpers - It is impressive that things like manners are valued so highly as it will give all of the children a great start in life.

Milford on Sea Primary School
www.mosps.co.uk

Polar Bear Spotted on Isle of Wight

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A Polar Bear has been spotted on the Isle of Wight by an eagled eyed passenger sailing past The Needles on P&O's Adonia.

Before showing my wife the picture, I asked her: "Where do you find polar bears?", in her inimitable style she immediately said; "It depends on where you lost them." 

She's a laugh a minute to live with.

I did not give up on my intended zoological lesson and asked; "What's the difference between a polar bear and a panda?" - The girl proved herself far too sharp when she answered in mega speed; "About 1500 miles."

I had nearly lost the will to live, but I still made the mistake of attempting one last question. "Have you ever seen a man-eating polar bear the love of my life?" - "No, but down at Verveine I saw a man eating a fish."

Boom! - I was down and out.

Not sure I will bother showing her the picture after all.

Seeking the Phantom Fryer

Here in the Milford on Sea Newsroom we get a number of requests, some are physically impossible and others we just make up the answers to.

We have now been asked about the Fish and Chip Van that visits Everton every week?

My wife has now told me where Everton is, but knows nothing about the van.

Apparently, a mobile fish and chip van visits Everton every Monday evening – and has done for many years.

It starts off in Roberts Close at around 6pm, moves to Plantation around 6.15 and finishes in Buckstone Close around 6.30.

If you can put a name and contact details to the phantom fryer please drop us an e-mail at: david@milfordonsea.org

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Addendum

Thanks to an eagle eyed reader - We have found him!

The Phantom Fryer of Everton is unmasked as Mr Brennan of JBs Mobile. He come from Pennington and his contact details are: 01590 676469 - brennanjpb@aol.com.

We are told that he has been freshly frying fish and chips for the Everton Ladies Evening Group (LEGS) (who fortuitously meet on Monday evenings) for many years and comes highly recommended.

Sorted!

Colm Splattered at Tory Conference

It was a peaceful Sunday morning as local Milford on Sea resident, Colm Lock dressed himself smartly to attend the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, at the same time hundreds of anti-austerity protesters were gathering outside of the conference centre to vent their fury at the Conservative Party.

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As Colm and his mates approached the steps into the conference hall a TV crew and large baying crowd gathered around them. It is not known if Colm is long-sighted, but to me the crowd was far too close for comfort!

Anyway, there he stood stoically gazing at the crowd as they became more and more agitated and at times aggressive. It was unclear whether has was amused or simply bemused, but he was certainly smiling.

Sadly there was no political debate, with the crowd preferring to hurl insults and a constant chant of 'Tory scum'.

Still he did not budge. As he smiled away, he looked every part the professional in his grey pinstripe suit, blue shirt, immaculate tie and a Union Jack handkerchief in his top pocket. In his hand was a copy of the Sunday Telegraph which was running a feature on Margaret Thatcher, and when folded Maggie's face was staring out. The crowd did not take it too well when Colm appeared to wave the newspaper in their direction.

He had obviously missed the official party advice for delegates to keep a low profile!

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As the baying protesters became more agitated, an egg was hurled and hit him square in the forehead. It has to be said, it was a 'cracking' shot.

Standing next to Colm at the time was a women wearing a pig mask, making the weirdest picture of bacon and eggs!

As the yoke dripped down his face and jacket he was still smiling before the security team hustled him away.

Colm was not quoted as saying: "The whole eggperience was quite eggordinary and eggciting. Thankfully it did not boil over, and luckily I have a thick shell and was not frytened.

I eggcept that political views are six of one and a half dozen of the other, some just appear more scrambed than others. I always like to look on the bright side and keep things sunny side up.

I hatched the idea to attend the conference a while ago. The mood inside of the hall was eggsellent and eggstremely eggsemplory, which is eggsactly what I had eggspected. The speeches became eggs-ponentially better as things went on and I was able to eggstrapolate plenty of the new ideas as they were eggsplained. I even managed to poach some good yolks that cracked me up! As they say, every suit has a golden egg lining."

On Monday Colm had become the talk of the national press and was all over social media.

Colm turns 20 years of age next month, and amongst other things, he has provided his time to support the community behind the scenes at events like Food Week. He is polite, considerate and bright - and whatever side of the political divide you sit his dignity in handling the situation has to be admired.

When Colm got up on Sunday morning I don't expect for one minute that he realised that he was about to become the face of the Conservative Party Conference, but had he realised, he may have preferred that his face was not covered in egg!

I hope the cost of his dry-cleaning was not over egged!

To see Colm splattered with an egg, please click here.

A New Shop for Splashing About

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It is great to see a new shop open opposite The Post Office in Milford on Sea high street.

The New Forest Paddle Sport Company is a kayak and stand up paddles board hire and sales shop owned by Sean Scott and Claire Hanscombe-Vinton.

Not many of you will know, but looking so good in a wet suit (albeit creating very strange shapes), my wife often encourages me onto the water, and she has suggested I hire a kayak to see how long it would take me to get to Cherbourg. I popped into the shop to ask how long the crossing might take, but apparently 'kayaks are not suitable for this type of journey'. 

Something tells me that my wife's suggestions was a subtle hint wrapped in warped humour, but being a bloke I have no idea what the hint might be...

The vibrant new shop will be open for half term week and weekends till March next year, and then we will be open 6 days a week.

The New Forest Paddle Sport Company will offer local and visitors to opportunity to explore the scenic coast line of the New Forest in a Sit On Top Kayak, Fishing Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board. They have a wide range of new and well maintained equipment to suit every paddler aged from 6 and beyond!

They also offer trolleys, inflatable boards and inflatable roof rack systems allowing you to take the kit away for a day or even a weekend, and happily sell you new and used equipment from boards - wetsuits - accessories. Everything you need for your paddling experience!

Half Day hire is 3 hours and Full Day is 6 hours, with Summer Evening Sessions also available for 2 Hours.

We are not sure if they offer discounts for the over 80's, but it is suggestion that we plan to make.

See you on the water! (I'll be the big bloke struggling to breathe in a rubber cocoon!)

Tenuous Footnote: Milford on Sea also has a connection with a famous face from the Kiteboard world; Mark Shinn. Mark was born in the village, is the former 2002 Professional Kiteboard Riders' Association world champion and the 2002 Kiteboard Pro World Tour champion. He was a former pupil of Milford Primary and Arnewood Schools. Today he is a partner in Nobile Kiteboards and has his own kite centre on Tenerife, where he now lives.

The New Forest Paddle Sport Company
46 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 1QD

info@thenewforestpaddlesportcompany.co.uk
www.thenewforestpaddlesportcompany.co.uk

Keep Off Roof

There is something eccentric about Beach Huts. Not that any of us would realise, as they are part of our history, we have grown up with them and seeing them on beaches is quite normal to us.

Our foreign visitors no doubt wonder why we delight in sitting in sheds. boiling a kettle in all weathers!

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As the Milford on Sea beach huts start to be demolished in the long process of rebuilding, a reader kindly send the photo to the left. It is good to see that health & safety extends to signage instructing you to keep off roofs that are simply not there!

Better still is the Union Jack Flag, which conjures up images of a beach hut stalwart sitting the other side, kettle on full whistle, and the flag fluttering to show that an "Englishman's home is his castle" - whatever the adversity!

It is great to be British!

Dominic's Fun for Golfers

I have just bought a book that I haven't yet read.

I have however bought a previous novel by the same author, and found it a well written story that was both funny and heart-warming. It gave me a wonderful feeling, just like eating a donut with a cup of strong tea in front of a roaring winter fire, 

If you would like to know why I am telling you about this, all you have to do is click here.

How many authors do you know who write a book and then donate everything to a worthy charity?

So, I will get straight to the point, if you like golf and reading, then you might like to buy this book: Open Links click here.

When I bought my copy today, I then posted on Dominic's blog: "Hi Dominic, I find golf painful to play and more painful watch. However, your motives for writing your book inspired me to just buy it for my Kindle. I will read it, and no doubt (having already read The Ripple Effect, about a real sport - football!) enjoy it. Doesn't matter really, it is great you are doing something so worthy for a cause that can really make a difference to real people who have just been unlucky. Life is unfair, so enjoying every day and laughing as much as you can, while you can, seems the best way forward for those of us lucky enough to be able do so. I really hope your efforts will make a difference to as many people as it can - and that you keep us smiling. See you Sunday week."

This article was not written as a plug for Dominic's comedy show in Love Milford Week, but I was simply reading his blog, (and unusual for me), I thought buying and reading his book was the least I could do. 

Naturally, it would be daft not mention that you can see and enjoy the top comedy of Dominic Holland next week. This was not written to sell tickets, every word is true and buying his book can truly help someone less fortunate than us. 

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The show will take place at Milford on Sea Community Centre with Tickets at £12, and the bar will be open on night from 7pm.

This is going to be fun, so Book your Tickets at:

Milford on Sea Community Centre Box Office: Open from 10am to 4pm on weekdays, and from 10am to 1pm on Saturdays. (Tel: 01590 644861)

or Buy Tickets Online by clicking here

Love Milford Week
www.lovemilfordweek.org

A Milford Thai Mistress

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I know I keep banging on about how brilliant the Britannia Thai in Milford on Sea is now, ...but I can't help myself - it just is!

The magic word 'curry' automatically get my taste buds dancing, and given any excuse I am off to Zaika. But now, if my wife says shall we go to 'the Thai instead', I have a dilemma, - rather than my usual automatic argument that we should go Indian, and pointing out that lemon grass tastes like an air freshener and pak choi being the vegetable of the devil, I have to succumb to now knowing that the Britannia Thai has many delights on their menu.

Quite frankly, I have no idea how Thai food can taste so good, but a look at these pictures will get you wanting to dive in. (Sadly, licking the pictures will not give you the amazing favours.)

The dry-cured beef is a starter I have never experienced before, but I could eat it all day, and don't get me onto the Massaman or Thai Red curries, Weeping Tiger steak, the Slow Cooked Lamb Shank or the fresh Salt & Pepper Squid, all are delicious. Most extraordinary of all; vegetables are something I will normally only eat if forced or threatened with a vicious assault in a delicate place.... But now I find myself actually ordering the Green papaya salad with a spicy crushed cashew nut dressing because I like it. (Did I really just say 'salad' and 'like' in the same sentence?!)

Born in Thailand, Head Chef Songkiat Surin speaks little English, but he obviously has magic in his fingers.

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Curry has been my companion in joy and sorrow for many decades now, indeed we have been through a lot together and spent lots of time in each others company across the globe. 

But now, my new Thai dining mistress is fighting hard for my affections. 

I will never leave curry, and I will still find many excuses to eat the fine curries at Zaika, but forgive me if I give in to Milford on Sea Thai temptation now and again. (Thai food mistress that is, not the other kind, which would result in my wife torturing me for hours, then bundling me up before chucking me from the tower at Hurst Castle!)

Anyway, don't take my word for it, just find an excuse to try the Britannia Thai for yourself!

Britannia Thai
1 High St, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF
01590 642212

www.thairestaurantnewforest.co.uk

Village Cubs Under Threat

Many of us guys will remember happy days from our time in the cubs.

I have fond memories of being a sixer in 2nd Kingsbury Scout Group and it was a foundation for teaching us our formative social & practical skills, team building and perhaps most valuable of all, respect.

Embarrassingly, many years ago, I was skiving whilst doing the washing up at cub camp and Akela sent me to the camp shop to buy some 'elbow grease'. - Yes, I did go! (Being sent to the camp shop to get some 'elbow grease', or perhaps some 'left-handed tent pegs' is the sort of thing children should continue to learn from!)

It has therefore been particularly sad to hear that the Cubs (and Beavers) at our own local 15th Milford & Keyhaven Sea Scout Group is under threat of closing.

The former leader has resigned and if a replacement cannot be found by Easter it looks like the Cubs (and Beavers) might have to close.

Many local parents and their children love going to the Cubs and it will be really disappointing if it was to be lost to the village.

So, a new leader is urgently needed. Can you help?, or do you know someone who would like to get involved with forming valuable skills in our young people?

If so, please contact: District Leader, Nigel Harper: mmhmos@ymail.com - 07588 149092

Tea Dancing at Braxton Gardens

Muffins Galore, the charming tea shop in Braxton Gardens are now holding a regular Afternoon Tea Dance on the 2nd Friday of every month from 2pm to 4.30pm.

No dance experience is required, but as I discovered at the last Tea Dance, break-dancing is 'not the done thing', neither is requesting some heavy rock to do some head-banging.

A gentle bit of ballroom is the scene and everyone is welcome. Dancing, cake and tea has to make an excellent afternoon!

If you fancy going along, (I promise I won't go again), tickets are just £4.50 and include a Pot of tea or cafetiere of coffee and a slice of home cake or one of Muffin Galore's delicious scones with jam & butter.

To book your tickets please email sarah@muffinsgalore.co.uk or call 01590 643633, or just turn up on the day.

Muffins Galore at Braxton Gardens 

Braxton Courtyard, Lymore Lane, Milford on Sea, SO41 0TX
Tel: 01590 643633

www.muffinsgalore.co.uk
www.atbraxtongardens.co.uk

New Finger Post Signs in Village

Hampshire County Councillor's Mel Kendall (who lives in Milford on Sea) and Alan Rice (who lives in New Milton) have each provided an individual grant to install new Finger Post Signs in Milford on Sea.

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The first is a wooden sign is now outside the Needles eye Café, pointing people to the Bird Hide, Hurst Castle, Nature reserve, Hurst Spit Walk and Village Shops.

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The second is a metal sign now outside The Smugglers Inn in the village centre, which points out Keyhaven, Hurst Castle & Ferry, Norman Church, Community Centre, Seafront and the village shops.

Both signs are thoughtfully in keeping with the local environment.

Thanks guy's, a nice addition to the village.

PS: A suggestion has been made to add an additional finger to the sign (as below) to commemorate the Naked Rugby that took place on New Year's Eve 2013. (click here to read story) - Not sure the Parish council will approve this! 

click image to enlarge

Desperate Facebooker!

On the 21st November, exactly 24 days ago, I embarked on the long resisted challenge of Facebook.

If you have no idea what I am talking about, please don't give up and read on...

I still have little clue what I am doing when confronting 'social media', ...but I have been fortunate to somehow gather 514 Friends so far. (This does not of course include My Wife, as she refuses to have me as a friend on FB due to hearing far too much from me as it is!)

Now the thing is, - I need some more help please.

You may be on Facebook, you may not, but there is little doubt that your family, children, friends and neighbours are, indeed most of the younger generation are on it! (I know, I sort of don't qualify.)

From what I have worked out so far I need lots of pages, these then have to be liked. loved or licked or something.

Important Bit: If you are Not on Facebook, Can you please forward this article to anyone you know: 
A. Who may be young enough to know what this all means, 
B. Who may be interested in things to do with Milford on Sea, 
C. Who has nothing better to do...
or D. Anyone you would like to irritate!

Simply go to bottom of this article, and sent to anyone you know by clicking the 'envelope icon':

If you are a fellow Facebooker, (get me, I feel I am one of the chosen few now!), - or have received this article from someone you know, please help by:

Becoming a Friend: click here

Like 'Milford News': click here

Like 'Love Milford Week': click here

Like 'Food Week': click here

Like 'Great Dining Bus': click here

I know that all sounds a bit painful, ..but just imagine the pain I had setting it all up for no one to see!

For a bit of light relief, take a look at the 'Photo Albums' click here

I look forward to seeing you, or someone you know, on Facebook soon!

Cave Pedalers Raise over £4k

After recovering from their bumps, bruises and chaffing, The Cave Bike and Hike Team will be presenting the sponsorship money raised at The Cave next Friday 12th December around 6.30 to 7pm.

The Bike and Hike event was held in October, and the sponsorship has now totalled to an impressive £4193.36. Mike Denny from Oakhaven Hospice will be the worthy recipient of this substantial sum.

Luckily, Jon and James' tandem
was provided with a repair kit. 
But only Emily knew how to use it!
click image to enlarge

The fundraising was brilliantly organised by Sharon Parr, who has generated tens of thousands for charity over a number of years.

Congratulations to everyone involved, and a special pat on the back for Sharon!

Jon and James demonstrating
their cycling skills.
Two blokes on a tandem is asking for trouble really. 
click image to enlarge

The Cave

Church Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QH
www.thecavemos.co.uk